Packer for flake material



July 10, 1962 G. B. STONE 7 3,043,350

PACKER FOR FLAKE MATERIAL Filed Oct. 15, 1959 5 Sheets-Sheet l Guthrie8. Stone INVENTOR.

BY wad-3a.

July 10, 1962 G. B. STONE 3,043,350

PACKER FOR FLAKE MATERIAL Filed Oct. 15, 1959 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 Fig.2

I F l2 '1 m' m I I H Ill V I L-l4 Guthrie 8. Stone INVENTOR.

BY @WM July 10,

Filed Oct. 15, 1959 Fig.3

G. B. STONE PACKER FOR FLAKE MATERIAL Fig.9

3 Sheets-Sheet 5 Guthrie B. Stone INVENTOR.

United States Patent 3,043,350 PAQKER FGR FLAKE MATERIAL Guthrie B.Stone, Stone Conveyor (10. Inc, Honeoye, N.Y. Fiied Oct. 15, 1959, Ser.No. 846,617 7 Claims. (Cl. 141-73) The present invention generallyrelates. to a packing device for filling containers and is primarilyconcerned with packing flakes or flake material or similar materialhaving a relatively low density into a container such as a can.

The present invention incorporates a structure for forcing or packingflakes of two or three times the volume of the container into thecontainer with a minimum damage to the flakes and requiring only aminimum of labor.

The primary object of the present invention is to provide a flakepacking machine which is primarily for the purpose of packing flakematerial such as dehydrated potato flakes into a can with the volume offlakes being from two to three times the volume of the can whereby theflakes may be economically distributed.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a packing machinewhich incorporates an elongated flake receiving barrel having a ramtherein which receives a predetermined weight of flakes from a suitableweighing machine after which acan is brought into position tightlyagainst the bottom of the barrel and the ram is forced downwardly forforcing the flakes into the can and subsequently returned to a startposition with there being also a mechanism for ejecting the filled canto a suitable can sealing machine. The ejection of the filled can isaccomplished by a piston and cylinder arrangement which will actuate thefeed mechanism for placing a new can in position when the ejectorreturns to a start position with their being a safety switch forpreventing operation of the machine unless the can is properlyorientated in relation to the rest of the structure.

Other objects of the present invention will reside in its simplicity ofconstruction, ease of operation, efficiency, accuracy, adaptation to itsparticular purposes and its relatively inexpensive manufacturing cost.

These together with other objects and advantages which will becomesubsequently apparent reside in the details of construction andoperation as more fully hereinafter described and claimed, referencebeing had to the accompanying drawings forming a part hereof, whereinlike numerals refer to like parts throughout, and in which:

FIGURE 1 is a perspective view of the flake packing machine withportions broken away and illustrating the can receiving platform and thelower end of the barrel together with the piston and cylinderarrangement for moving a can into position, raising the can against thebarrel and, subsequently ejecting the can;

FIGURE 2 is a side elevational view of the machine with a portion of thetop part of the ram being broken away;

FIGURE 3 is a plan view of the machine with the barrel and ram mechanismbeing broken away;

FIGURE 4 is a detailed sectional view taken transverse- 1y along the.plane just above the magnet for holding the cans;

FIGURE 5 is a detailed side elevational view illustrating the connectionbetween the barrel and ram device;

FIGURE 6 is a detailed sectional view taken substantially upon a planepassing along section line 66 of FIGURE 5 illustrating the lower end ofthe ram;

FIGURE 7 is a detailed sectional view taken substantially upon a planepassing] along section line 7].7 of FIGURE 5 illustrating theconstruction of the upper end of the barrel and particularly the chutefor receiving the flakes;

FIGURE 8 is a transverse, sectional view of the barrel illustrating theconstruction of the plunger therein; and

FIGURE 9 is a schematic wiring diagram of the machine illustrating thevarious switches for operating the structural mechanism.

Referring now specifically to the drawings, the numeral it generallydesignates the flake packing machine of the rangement with the cylinderbeing designated by numeral present invention which is supported on agenerally table top-like member 12 supported by a plurality of legs 14.Extending vertically upwardly from one side portion of the table top 12is a barrel generally designated by numeral 16 with their being apneumatically or fluid pressure operated ram 18 disposed above thebarrel i6 and in longitudinal alignment therewith. The barrel 16 is inthe form of an elongated cylindrical tubular member 26 which is rigidlysupported in position by brace members 22. As illustrated in FIGURE 1,the barrel 16 is adjustable in relation to the brace members 22' byvirtue of mounting lugs 24 extending alongside of a brace member 22 andbeing secured thereto by bolts 26. The lower edge of the lug 24 isprovided with a projection 28 engageable by an elevating screw 30 whichis in screw-threaded engagement with a lug 32 affixed to the brace 22.The lug 24 is provided with slots 34 receiving the bolts 26 forpermitting adjustment thereof.

Adjacent the upper end of the barrel 16, there is provided a laterallyextending hopper or chute 36 which has an open upper end 38 forreceiving flakes from a weighing machine (not shown) which weighingmachine is not part of the present invention. Disposed above and engagedwith the upper edge of the hopper 38 is a flange 449 which receivesfastening members 42 extending through a flange 44- on the lower end ofthe cylinder 46 which forms part of the ram 18 whereby adjustment of thebolts 42 may effect vertical adjustment of and alignment of the ram 18with the longitudinal axis of the barrel 20'. A piston rod 43 extendsdownwardly from the ram 46 into the barrel and has a plunger 50connected thereto. The plunger 50 is provided with a plurality ofapertures 52 for permitting escape of air and is preferably constructedof a plastic material having sufficient rigidity to compress the flakematerial without the flakes adhering to the plunger 5% which acts as apiston to move and compress the flakes disposed within the barrel i6.

The lower end of the barrel 16 is open and a can receiving and holdingplate of a circular configuration is disposed below the lower end of thebarrel in and receives a tin can 56 thereon. Disposed below the tabletop member 12 is a piston and cylinder arrangement with the cylinderbeing designated by numeral 58 and having a piston rod 65} extending upthrough the table top member 12 and'rigidly secured to the platform 54so that the tin can 56 may be brought into tight contacting engagementwith the lower end of the barrel 16. A safety switch actuating member 62is. disposed inthe brace member 22 in the path of movement of the can 56so that the switch actuating member 62 will not be actuated unless thecan 56 is properly positioned on the platform 54. A permanent magnet 64is provided in a slot 66- in the brace 22 for positioning and holdingthe can 56 in position. The magnet 64 may be insulated in any mannerdesired.

Extending laterally from the platform 54 is a can supply guide or chutegenerally designated by numeral 68 which includes a plurality of rods 70arranged in such a manner to provide an inclined gravity chute for aplurality of cans which may receive the cans in a vertical postion as.they proceed downwardly, A vertical stop rod 72 is provided for limitingthe movement of the cans 56 for positioning the cans on a stationaryplatform 74 immediately before they are pushed onto the platform 54 withtheir being a piston and cylinder ar- .3 78 disposed with thelongitudinal axis in alignment with the center of the platform 54. Theouter end of the piston rod 80 is provided with an adapter 82 curved toconform to the can 56. Thus, when the piston rod 80 is extended, theadapter 82 will engage the can 56 and move the can off of the platform74 onto the platform 54 and when the piston rod 80 is retracted, thenext adjacent can 56 will move down to engage the stop rod 72 or thetransverse stop rod 84.

Disposed behind the platform 54 is a piston and cylinder arrangementwith the cylinder being designated by the numeral 86 and with the pistonrod 88 having an arcuately curved adapter 90 thereon which is adapted toengage a can 56 when it is to be ejected from the platform 54. Aplurality of horizontal rods 92 are provided and are secured to aU-shaped support 94 which can receive some type of conveyor forconveying the filled packed cans to a sealing machine.

The entrance to the platform 54 is provided with a spring urged gatemember 96 pivotally supported on a sleeve 98 carried by the vertical rod70 and limited by a projecting finger 100 which engages an inverted U-shaped frame member 102. The spring 104 urges the gate member 96 intothe path of movement of the cans 56 as they proceed onto the platform 54thus assuring that only one can will move into position.

The various piston and cylinder arrangements are preferablypneumatically operated although they may be operated by other fluidpressure and various switch mechanisms are employed for controlling theoperation of the components with each of the piston and cylinderarrangements being solenoid valve controlled.

FIGURE 9 illustrates schematically the wiring diagram for control of theoperation with the entire apparatus being connected to line voltage fromany suitable source of supply. Switch 106 is a micro-switch which is thecan orientation switch. The can orientation micro-switch 106 isconnected in a line and is in series with the feed cylinder solenoid 108which will cause the feeding of a can into the area above platform 54 if.the ejection cylinder micro-switch 110 is closed which occurs when theejection cylinder has returned to a normal position. A micro-switch 112in series with the lower cylinder release solenoid 114 and the ejectorcylinder solenoid 116 so that when the micro-switch 112 is closed whichoccurs when the press ram or cylinder returns to its upper position, theplatform 54 will lower and the discharge cylinder will eject a filledcan. The can positioning switch 118 is provided with the actuating arm62 and is in series with the solenoid 120 for causing the elevatingcylinder connected with the platform 54 to elevate the can 56 when theswitch 118 is closed. Also, the press or ram solenoid 122 will beoperated thus causing the plunger to descend if the switch 124 is closedwhich switch 124 may be a micro-switch disposed in the path of movementof the platform dumping gate which will close the switch 124 when apredetermined weight has been obtained and is dumped into the hopper.Thus when the scales dump the material into the hopper, the switch 124will close and since a can is in position and engages the finger or arm62, the switch 118 will close thus energizing the solenoids 120 and 122causing the platform 54 to elevate and causing the ram to movedownwardly for compressing and compacting the flakes. The ram will thenreturn to its upper position and cause switch 112 to be closed andswitch 124 to be opened since the scales have moved to a neutralposition. The piston and cylinder arrangement 58 will then lower theplatform 54 and the ejection piston and cylinder arrangement will ejectthe filled container; As the ejection piston and cylinder arrangementreturns to itsnormal position, the switch 110 will be closed and withthe switch 106 being closed due to the orientation of the open upper endof the container facing upwardly, the solenoid 168 will be energizedthus causing the feed cylinder 78 to project a can into the area abovethe platform 54 so that when the switch 118 is closed by the can, thedevice will automatically operate in another sequence of events when thescale platform dump gate closes the switch 124.

In operation, the barrel receives the flakes from the weighing machinewhich dumps when a pre-set weight has been reached. The switch 124 isthus closed which causes the solenoid valve to be energized and forcesthe bottom cylinder to act upwardly thus bringing the can into positiontightly engaging the bottom of the barrel. At the same time the top aircylinder starts the ram downward and forces the flakes into the can andreturns to its start position. In doing so, it trips the micro-switch112 which causes the discharge or ejector air cylinder to act at thesame time forcing the can outward to a can sealer. When the ejectorcylinder retracts to its start position, it also causes the loadingcylinder to act to place a new can in position. A switch 118 is placedwhere the can, when in proper position contacts its operating lever 119'so that the machine will not operate unless the lever 119 is not engagedwith a bottom of an inverted can. This switch is in the top of thegravity fed chute for empty cans and if actuated because a can is inupside down or bottom up position, the loading air cylinder will berendered inoperative. Thus, the operation of the machine will besubstantially automatic if the weighing machine will operate switch 124and will discharge into the hopper sequential weighed quantities offlake material.

The foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles ofthe invention. Further, since numerous modifications and changes willreadily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limitthe invention to the exact construction and operation shown anddescribed, and accordingly all suitable modifications and equivalentsmay be resorted to, falling within the scope of the invention asclaimed.

What is claimed as new is as follows:

1. A flake packing machine for compressing and packing flake materialinto a container of substantially rigid construction comprising anelongated barrel, means for supporting said barrel in vertical position,hopper means at the upper end of the barrel for receiving apredetermined quantity of flake material, a ram connected with the upperend of the barrel and including a plunger vertically movably disposed inthe barrel for forcing the flake material downwardly through the barrel,a platform disposed below the barrel and in alignment therewith forreceiving a container, said platform being elevatable for bringing theopen upper end of the container into engagement with the barrel wherebythe flakes compressed by the ram will be compressed into the container,a feed chute communicating with the platform for positioning containersadjacent thereto, means for moving a container from the chute onto theplatform, means separate from said means for moving a container onto theplatform for ejecting a filled container off of the platform, and meansfor raising and lowering said platform, all of said means being switchcontrolled, the means for moving the container onto the platform beingresponsive to retraction of the container ejecting means and positioningof the ram in its uppermost position, the downward movement of the rambeing controlled by the position of the container, and the ejectingmeans being controlled by the position of the ram when it returns to astart position.

2. The structure as defined in claim 1 wherein each of said meansincludes a fluid pressure operated piston and cylinder arrangementcontrolled by solenoid valves.

3. The structure as defined in claim 2 wherein said containers are ofmetallic construction of ferrous material, and a permanent magnet forholding the container in position on the platform while being engagedwith the lower end of the barrel.

4. The structure as defined in claim 2 wherein said barrel supportingmeans includes a vertically adjustable 5 connection with the barrel forvarying the degree of compaction of the flake material.

5. The structure as defined in claim 1 wherein a spring urged gate isprovided on the chute for closing the entrance to the platform therebyassuring that only a single container will be placed on the platform.

6. The structure as defined in claim 1 wherein said plunger is providedwith a plurality of apertures for passage of air for facilitating thedownward movement thereof within the barrel.

7. A flake packing machine for compressing and packing flake materialinto a container of substantially rigid construction comprising anelongated barrel, means for supporting said barrel in vertical position,hopper means at the upper end of the barrel for receiving apredetermined quantity of flake material, a ram mechanism connected withthe upper end of the barrel including a plunger vertically movablydisposed in the barrel for forcing the flake material downwardly throughthebarrel, a platform disposed below the barrel and in alignmenttherewith for receiving a container, said platform being elevatable forbringing the open end of the container into engagement with the barrelwhereby the flakes compressed by the ram will be compressed into thecontainer, a feed chute communicating with the platform for positioningcontainers adjacent thereto, means for moving a container from the chuteonto the platform, means for pushing a filled container off of theplatform, said means for moving said container onto the platform andsaid means for pushing said filled container off of the platformoperating perpendicularlyv in a plane parallel to the surface of theplatform, and means for raising and lowering said platform, all of saidmeans being switch controlled.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS242,598 Castle June 7, 1881 565,228 Richards Aug. 4, 1896 1,817,550 FennAug. 4, 1931 1,893,831 Weber Jan. 10, 1933 2,333,232 Bleam et a1 Nov. 2,1943 2,620,960 Harrington Dec. 9, 1952 2,675,154 Fishburne Apr. 13, 19542,710,128 Anderson June 7, 1955 2,765,817 Grzenkowski et al Oct. 9, 19562,806,771 Cuthbertson et al Sept. 17, 1957 2,927,611 Tankersley Mar. 8,1960 FOREIGN PATENTS 827,549 Germany Jan. 10, 1952

